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Hardwood decking in merbau and spotted gum for Newcastle homes

I’m Liam Sharpe, a licensed carpenter. I build merbau, spotted gum and blackbutt decks for homes across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Maitland.

Book a free on-site quote 0402 499 810

5.0 on Google
Licence 383930C
10+ years in the trade

Liam Sharpe and his apprentice in Sharpe shirts and tool belts — Pictured: Liam Sharpe and his apprentice

Why hardwood for a deck

Hardwood decking boards come from dense, slow-growing trees, so they are hard under foot, resist wear and handle full sun. A hardwood deck looks rich when it is new and, with a coat of oil each year, keeps that colour for a long time.

Hardwood is the most common board in the decks and landings I build for Newcastle homeowners. My spa deck is 140 x 18 merbau, and at West Wallsend I built a merbau slat screen alongside a new pergola.

What our customers say

Google5.0 See all reviews

tom payne

3 months ago

Really happy with the work from Sharpe Building & Construction. We had a pretty tight timeline, and even when a few unexpected issues came up, they handled everything without any fuss. The job was completed by the deadline, and the whole process was smooth and stress-free. Would definitely recommend them

Response from the owner3 months ago

Thank you, Tom! We really appreciate your kind words and are glad we could deliver the project on time despite the unexpected challenges. It was a pleasure working with you, and we are thrilled you’re happy with the result. Thank you for choosing Sharpe Building & Constructions. We truly appreciate your recommendation !

Dot Hodder

3 months ago

Thanks Liam. You did a beautiful job of working out what I wanted. My home feels complete with the new additions, plus the pergola. I found you by word of mouth and you certainly didn't disappoint.

Response from the owner3 months ago

Thank you so much, Dot! It was a pleasure working with you and bringing your ideas to life. I’m really glad you’re happy with the end result and that your home feels complete with the new additions and pergola. Thank you for trusting Sharpe Building & Constructions. We truly appreciate your kind words and support!

Renee & Brendon Harley

3 months ago

Needed some windows installed. Easily done, no fuss. Polite crew.

Response from the owner3 days ago

Thanks Renee and Brendon. Glad the new windows went in smoothly. If there is anything else you need done around the house, Sharpe Building & Constructions is happy to help across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. Liam

Recent hardwood jobs

Which hardwood should I pick?

Merbau
A deep red-brown hardwood and the most common decking board in Newcastle. It is stable, hard-wearing and takes oil well.
Spotted gum
An Australian hardwood with a wavy grain in creams and browns. It is one of the hardest decking timbers and suits a deck in full sun.
Blackbutt
A pale, straight-grained Australian hardwood. It weathers to a soft silver grey if it is left unoiled.
Hardwood screens and steps
The same timbers work for privacy screens, steps and handrails, so the whole deck matches.

What do hardwood decks look like up close?

Three photos from my own jobs show what hardwood decking looks like once it is built and oiled.

Merbau boards

Merbau 140 x 18 boards on the spa deck, oiled. The step runs the full width of the deck down to the lawn.

Merbau slat screen beside a pergola at West Wallsend

A hardwood screen

A merbau slat screen at West Wallsend, built with a pergola as part of a set of additions. The slats give privacy and still let the breeze through.

Tannin bleed

New merbau bleeds a brown tannin the first few times it gets wet. It settles after a few rains or a wash, so new hardwood is kept off light paving where possible.

What changes the price of a hardwood deck?

Every hardwood deck is priced on site. These change the cost the most:

Species: Merbau, spotted gum and blackbutt each cost a different amount per metre.
Board width: Wider boards like 140 mm cover the deck with fewer boards and fixings.
Size and height: The area of the deck and how far it sits off the ground.
Screens and steps: Slat screens, steps and balustrades in matching hardwood.
Oiling: A first coat of decking oil once the boards are down.

The quote is free, and you get the price before any work starts. Residential building work over $5,000 also needs a licensed contractor and a written contract under NSW law, as NSW Fair Trading sets out. Every job over that amount comes with one.

How a deck job runs

1Send the job
Use the form or call 0402 499 810. Photos of the spot help.
2Free on-site quote
I come out, measure up, show you the timbers and give you a price.
3Frame, then hardwood
The frame first, then the hardwood boards, screens and steps, then the oil.
4Walk-through
We look over the finished job together.

Get a free on‑site quote.

Tell me the job and your suburb. I’ll call you to book a time, come out, measure up and give you a price before any work starts. Or call 0402 499 810.

5.0 on Google reviews
Licence 383930C, check it on the NSW register
Free on‑site quote

Questions about hardwood decking

Is merbau a good decking timber?

Yes. Merbau is dense, stable and hard-wearing, and it is the most common decking board in Newcastle. It needs a coat of decking oil about once a year.

Spotted gum or merbau?

Both last well. Merbau is a deep red-brown. Spotted gum is lighter with a wavy grain and is one of the hardest decking timbers. It comes down to the colour you like.

Does a hardwood deck need oiling?

To keep the colour, yes, about once a year. Left unoiled, hardwood weathers to a silver grey, which some people prefer.

Can you match a new hardwood deck to my screen or pergola?

Yes. I build screens, steps and handrails in the same timber so the whole job matches, like the merbau screen at West Wallsend.

Can I check your licence?

Yes. Licence 383930C is on the NSW licence register, Carpenter class, current until 2030.

Where do you build hardwood decks?

I’m based at 4 Nightingale Crescent, Cameron Park NSW 2285 and build across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Maitland. There’s no showroom: I come to you to look at the job.

Call 0402 499 810 or email sharpeconstructions@aol.com. Licence 383930C, ABN 27 866 451 671.